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Ordinary Time or Growing Time?

It’s brilliant to see the fine weather and farmers across the group have been busy getting the meadows cut. The baler machine has been working overtime and the weather is allowing the making of hay; Praise God.
Driving around the group, the roads have been slow with many tractors on the move. In the fields both machinery and men have been active well into the darkness getting the bales in. It’s a fine sight, yet it was wonderful also to see the meadow before the cut. They looked stunning. As the grass grew, there were yellow and pink flowers in abundance. They looked beautiful covering the hillsides. Now they are gone. But they will grow again!
I always feel summer in the churches is a strange time. Ministers disappear for periods with holidays and conferences. Families are out and about, visiting beaches and relatives, making the most of the long school holidays. It's also a time for summer clubs. We thank God for our recent children's club in Newtowngore and encourage parents to bring their children to our club in Tomregan in August.
Church attendance inevitably declines a little during the summer. Rotas are also difficult to fill. I want to publicly thank our Diocesan and parish reader team for all their help through the year and in enabling churches to have as many services as possible through the summer months. Thank you Margaret, Mervyn, Roy and Essie. We also continue to pray that George will continue to strengthen following his major liver transplant operation just a few months ago.
Sometimes when I visit schools I talk about the church year. I try and help the children recognise and enter into key times in the Church calendar. Some churches have all the colours in the church to match the time of year. In the church lectionary these weeks of July and August are known as ordinary time and the colour on Communion Tables and pulpits is green. Ordinary time seems to go on forever! It stretches from the Sunday after Trinity Sunday (our Sunday school prize giving) all the way to Advent at the beginning of December. I confess there is something in me that dislikes that word ‘ordinary’! Ordinary can so often go with dull and boring! Yet we need the ordinary and the colour green can help us. Whenever I think of Green I think of grass. Green is for growing and God makes things grow!
Many of you will know we have family in Spain whom we try to visit. Whenever we arrive I am always struck by the colour of the land. It’s brown - dry reddy brown earth. Two years ago we went in August and they had had no rain since February. Everything was so dry, brown and dusty. It helped me appreciate ordinary green! Green is for grass, life and growing!
Isaiah 40:6 shares that "All men are like grass and their glory is like the flowers of the field." Driving around I’ve been struck by the wonderful colours filling the meadows; they’re beautiful but only last such a short time. Life is short, don't miss God in the ordinary.
Like the grass in Spain desperately longed for the life giving water, we too depend on our creator for life. Even the ordinary has the potential for wonderful transformation as we receive the touch of God.

Whether home or away in another part of the country may I encourage you to come to church to worship God. He is our life giver! May we offer ourselves to God and see him in the ordinary. Ask God "God how do you want me to grow?"
As the plain ordinary summer grass grows again may faith in God our creator also grow.

There are two ordinations in September. Ian Horner will be ordained to serve in the Bailieborough Group on 7th September at 4pm in Kilmore Cathedral. Linda Frost will also be ordained to serve in the South Leitrim Group on 14th September at 4pm in Sligo Cathedral. Please pray for Ian, his wife Jenny and son Sam, also Linda and her husband Stephen as they join with the diocesan family.
A Resources Day is to be held on 27th September in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon. The day is designed to resource ministry and mission in the diocese, following on from our various conversations in the diocese. Further details when we have them!

Please pray for all those involved in the life of Newtowngore School as the school looks to a new beginning this September. Please pray that new principal Zena Gordon settles quickly and for the right appointment of a second teacher. Pamela Whitford will be retiring at the end of August after many years teaching in the school. We give thanks for Pamela’s time in the school and pray that she will know God’s blessing in this new season in life.

On Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd August
10 am to 1 pm each day in Tomregan Hall
(next to Ballyconnell Central School)
For all children aged between four and twelve.
Led by the Big Red Bus team
and the Church of Ireland
Numbers are limited so please register with Carol Graham at 0879786338.

Sunday August 3rd will be the last of our summer evenings of prayer. The church will again be open from 6pm to 11pm. We will seek to bring the life and people of the parish to God. Choose any hour to come along. Please note the service of evening prayer will be at 8pm instead of our usual morning service.

Our Festival Service was held in Kinawley Parish Church, Derrylin on Thursday 29th May. The theme for the service was "Sowing the future together: together we grow" and there were over 150 members in attendance. The service was led by Rev. Andrew Quill and the address was given by Rt. Rev. Ferran Glenfield. The lessons were read by Branch Leader Joanne Quill and Diocesan President Joy Little. The prayers were led by members of the Derrylin Branch. Dean Raymond Ferguson commissioned Bishop Ferran Glenfield as Diocesan Chaplain and Evelyn Morton and Vida McCauley as Trustees. There was a procession of banners and overseas envelopes were presented. Members had an opportunity to purchase items from the enterprise table whilst refreshments followed in Parish Hall.Both photos were taken at the Diocesan Service.

Seniors Tea Party
The second of the seniors' Tea Parties was held on Wednesday 11th June in Kilmore Hall and approximately 60 members attended. The Service of H.C. was led by Dean Raymond Ferguson in the absence of Bishop Ferran Glenfield who was unable to attend. Dean Ferguson spoke about "The Good Shepherd". Joy Little, Diocesan President thanked Dean Raymond for officiating at the service and as it is his final M.U. event before retirement Joy presented him with a token to show our appreciation for his support to M.U. in the diocese. Following the service everyone enjoyed the beautiful afternoon tea and the chat with old and some new friends. Mrs. Mavis Magee Senior Members' Contact thanked everyone for coming and those who provided food.
For more photographs of both events visit our Diocesan website at:
www.mothersunion-kilmore.weebly.com

We were all saddened when we heard that Sandra Richardson’s sister Valerie died in June after a difficult illness. We extend our deepest sympathy to Sandra and her family in this painful time.
It has been a difficult time for the family of George Thomas North who died after a long illness and was buried in Cloverhill on July 7th. George will be greatly missed by sister Shirley Graham (Newtowngore) and daughter Muriel Graham (Kildallon) and all the wider family circle.
Our deepest sympathies are also with May Rooney whose younger sister died recently in Australia.

Please pray for all those who struggle with the pain of losing loved ones.

Rebecca Marsden from Ballyconnell reported back from a sunny Summer Madness. Rebecca was one of around 93 young people from our diocese who went to Glenarm Estate on the North Antrim Coast. It was an exciting five days. Highlights included the worship in the big Tent and the experience of camping with hundreds of others. This was Rebecca's second time attending the festival. Would she go again? An enthusiastic “yes!” It would be brilliant if we could encourage other young people from our parish group to go in 2015.

It was brilliant to welcome Joseph Wilson in Swanlinbar the other Sunday. Joseph had just been taking part in the Special Olympics Ireland held in Limerick and we were thrilled that he was a medal winner. Joseph won a place on the podium with two bronze medals in the 25 metre race and the softball throw. Well done Joseph with a brilliant effort. There's lots more on the new parish website at: www.skparishgroup.weebly.com/swanlinbar-news

Dear Praying Friends,
Since losing the truck way back in March many activities have come to a halt and normal work patterns have slowed down. Going everywhere on buses is very time and energy consuming both in town and getting to and from the Chaco.
The flooding in Paraguay is the worst on record and many families all over the country have lost their homes and belongings. In the Chaco the Indian communities at La Patria have been isolated because the roads are impassable or have been washed away completely. Food drops by helicopters have helped but the day to day problems are unresolved.
Work in rural areas has come to a standstill and survival is the main task.
In Asuncion the River Paraguay is at an all time high and people are camping wherever they can find high ground and a roof. Days on end without any sunshine means that nowhere can dry out and everywhere is so damp and rain showers are still frequent.
I feel so privileged and blessed to have a secure and dry, if but damp place to sleep in the Chaco and in town. At the ranch no one had their house flooded although all the roads are un-useable.
Please remember these in your prayers:
For guidance to find the right vehicle;
Protection for everyone as crime is rife and the young Arlan Fick is still captive after being kidnapped three months ago;
For the flood victims;
For the Project Paraguay volunteers and the Rio Verde church members;Love and prayers,
Beryl

Life has often been described as making memories. The Annual Kildallon Treasure Hunt is developing a reputation for making these. It is to be held on Friday 1st August and is a fun filled evening that is sure to be great craic! We would love to see more entries this year. All you need is a car, driver and some passengers.
Suitable for all ages. Great for families.
Cars leave Christchurch Kildallon from 6.30pm to 7pm.
Refreshments and prizes at the finish!
No registration just make sure you turn up on the night!.

We are currently arranging our Harvest Festival Services. This is a provisional schedule which includes a couple of simple shared lunches and a concert that Revd Brendan's family have produced in aid of our India link.
The time of the Concert for India has not yet been fixed.

This year we had our Sunday school Prize-giving services in Templeport and Kildallon. A big well done to all the children who have come throughout the year. We also thank the Sunday school leaders for their commitment over many weeks. We also found out about Ayele, our compassion sponsored child with a fun quiz.

Congratulations to 7 of the pupils (2 missing from photo) Asher, Andrew, Alanna, Melissa, Nick, Genevieve and Laura who were recent winners in the Windows National poetry competition. Out of 1300 entries, 100 were short listed and Ballyconnell scooped 7 of those.
The children's creative skills were recognized again on June 21st, when another 8 winners, Erin, Genevieve, Laura, Alanna, Kelly, Melissa, Max and Owen were selected as poetry winners in the Cavan Burren Poetry competition. Well done to all who entered.
On Friday June 20th there was great excitement as the children looked forward to raising their hard earned An Taisce Green Flag. The two year intensive project led by Ms Corrigan is a credit to the school. The children had been focusing on waste management and have reduced their litter and waste by significant amounts.
Bishop Ferran Glenfield kindly attended our end of year gathering. The senior class shared a story about the origins of Ballyconnell in drama, followed by a presentation by the whole school on their work for the Green Flag. Pupil Josh Magee in his final days in the school was thrilled to be given the honour of raising the An Taisce Green Flag
The day also saw the launch of the school's newly launched website designed by Wayne Curry. www.ballyconnellcentralschool.com

A big Thank you! It’s hard to believe that September will mark ten years since the first newsletter was produced. Ten years seems an appropriate moment for our current editor to retire. Personally I would like to thank Nigel for his loyal commitment and patience in what can often feel thankless and frustrating work. People are quick to pick up mistakes (often mine!), much less to give the praise for the work that is done. It has been a mammoth task which deserves a mammoth thank you. (Nigel Blushes!!!)
It is right that Nigel is allowed to step aside. I pray that people and other projects can benefit from the extra time this will give him.
A simpler newsletter? Meeting with a number of parishioners there remains a desire to see a monthly newsletter in some form. Of necessity, I suspect it will be a little simpler. A newsletter of some form will be out in September.
A new website: www.skparishgroup.weebly.com
I hope that we will be able to develop our use of the internet. We have a new trial website presently. Please explore it and let us know what you think.
It contains more information and photos than we are able to put in newsletters. Each Parish and groups like Sunday school, M.U. and G.FS. have their own pages which I hope will develop a larger team being involved in communicating our news across the group.
Assuming we go ahead with the new website we hope to keep the old website which can be redeveloped with a historical emphasis, keeping our old records.
Facebook page A number of parishioners also use Facebook. Our Facebook page( Swanlinbar Kildallon Church of Ireland Group of Parishes) is now linked to the website so can be updated more easily. If you use Facebook please like our page or the website and that will help you keep updated.
The website will be the first place news is placed. This can then be easily communicated via Facebook and copied to the Newsletter and Scribe as required. I hope this will be an easier way of working, though none of it can ever replace telling the news face to face!

.Around the edge of this item are the front pages of a few of the previous Newsletters.
Click on them for larger versions then use your 'Back' button or back space key to return to this page.
Links to all previous Newsletters may be foundhere:

People find it surprising that there are more churches in Las Vegas than there are casinos. Visitors forget that residents live lives much like other people in other cities.
So it is not surprising that worshippers give casino chips rather than cash when the collection basket is passed around in church. It is not considered wrong or offensive, as the chips have value and the churches need all the money they can get to carry out their missions.Since the worshippers donate chips from many different casinos, the churches had to come up with a method to efficiently convert them into cash, so they forged an agreement with the local Franciscan Monastery to consolidate the chips, make an accurate accounting of the amounts from each church, and cash them in at the casinos.
It wasn't long before those who processed the casino bounty were given a most appropriate nickname. They were known as Chip Monks.

Sign at Church Car Park

Sign at Church car park
Church Praking Only
Car Park for Church Users
If you park here you are liable:
1; To be blocked in
2; To be prayed for!

Ten of The Best Witty and Funny Church Signs

1.Notice in a church parking lot. Trespassers will be baptised.
2.If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd.3.Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church.
4.How will you spend eternity - Smoking or Non-smoking?
5.Fight truth decay -- study the Bible daily.
6.No God - No Peace. Know God - Know Peace.
7.Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!8.When the restaurant next to a chapel put out a big sign with red letters that said, "Open Sundays," the chapel reciprocated with its own message: "We are open on Sundays, too."
9.Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world.
10.In the dark? Follow the Son.

Prayer Points for July and August

Let us continue to listen
to God in prayer and develop a daily routine of praying for
the following on the day of the week indicated;

Sunday:

Pray for farmers and those who rely on the weather and the long days of summer to save hay, silage and other crops;

Monday:

Pray that administrations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and East Asia will resolve their differences without more suffering or bloodshed;

Tuesday:

Pray for those who sat exams that their efforts will be justly rewarded and that they will know God’s Wisdom in their future steps.

Wednesday:

Pray for those employed in the caring profession – that their work would bring comfort, peace and healing to those in pain;

Thursday:

Pray for all those recently bereaved in our community and those known to us, especially those who have lost children and spouses;

Friday:

Pray for all afflicted with cancer and the families of those who are suffering from it and other ailments, especially those in our own community, the clergy who used to serve in our group of Churches and all those known to us;

Saturday:

Pray for all those or their loved ones who are sick or suffering and pray for healing in their lives and peace for all those who are worried or depressed.

Continue to thank God for so many bounties and gifts as you look around.